Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1887-11-26
SOCIETY WASTES.
ROUGH-HEWN PARAGRAPHS
DESCRIBE THEM.
Extravaganza in the Employment of
Time, Labor and Material.
The Four Professions.
Economy the Key to
Socialism.

A little pamphlet on "Socialism,"
by A. J. Starkweather and S. Rob-
ert Wilson, contains chapter on
"The Wastes of Society,"" written in
vigorous Western style. By special
permission of Messrs. John W. Low
ell Il Co., the publishers, We reprint
this chapter, which is calculated to
give material for many discussion,
and discussion is what is needed now:
In the social state, with govern
mental collectivist cooperation as
the cornerstone, nearly all the
wastes of society as now existing
might be abolished.
AS a people, and as individuals,
We are exceedingly parsimonious in
the expenditure of small amounts of
coin, but yet extremely extravagant
in the employment of time, labor
and material.
In the four professions of theology,
law, physic, and war there are mil
lions of the most intelligent, edu-
Gated, and able bodied men en-
ployed, for no apparent purpose but
to delude, rob and murder their fel-
lows.
The preacher wears good clothes,
eats good food, and generally lives in
good houses, yet, as q preacher, he
not not only worthless, but abso-
lutely injurious, as he stands in the
path of progress, opposes all reforms
that he does not invent and engin
eer; he is generally on the side of
king and capital, and naturally he is
their creature, and does their work.
With his intelligence and education
he would make an excellent teacher,
did he possess little more honesty
and industry, and the churches he
occupies one day in seven, would,
with some slight changes, make ex-
cellent schools, lyceums, and gymna-
siums for the mental, moral, and
physical training of the young.
The lawyer is the most vicious and
dangerous member of society; his
trade is to lie, cheat, steal, and to
condone and defend all crime and
criminals ; by instinct and training
he is the friend and defender Of all
tyrannies, and the natural enemy of
labor. Were his talents turned in a
different direction he would make
an excellent scientist and teac her Of
the higher class, in such capacity he
would be a useful and honorable
member of society.
The medical doctor, especially the
skilful surgeon, is necessary and
honorable member of society, but
the average practitioner or quack is
no better than a legalized murderer
he may chop, scalp, dose, poison.
and strangle you, aru then give 8
burial permit or pass to Lone Noun
tain, and the law takes no cogni
zance Of his butcheries and slow
poisoning. He is very dangerous
citizen, but, under better system,
where none but those adapted by ma
ture and education could enter tht
profession, might be made yer,
useful one.
The soldier-under this head W.
include not only the regular" bu
all the irregulars, such as police
men, sheriffs, jailors and hangmen
Their trade is murder-foul, pre-
meditated and eold-blooded. The
are loafers, bummers, politician
and dead beats they are not onl,
consumers, but what they cannot eat
drink, or carry away in plunder, the,
burn, blow up and destroy; they lacl
even the saving grace of intelligence
and education possessed by the othe
professions; their business is brutal
izing, degrading and heinous, an,
they follow the trade to which theil
instincts prompt them. Under ;
better social system they might b.
utilized as butchers, scayengers, or Il
do other necessary and useful labor
These four ayocations form